Pin fastener



July 7, 1953 L.. D. suMNER 2,644,211

PIN FASTENER Filed Nov. 10. 1952 103]] e Jf Patented July 7, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PIN FASTENER i Lawson D. Sumner, Lake George, Colo.

Application November 10, 1952, Serial No. 319,689

(c1. cfr- 162) 7 Claims.

tional safety pin but is at the same time perfectly safe in use and, even if swallowed, cannot result in injury.

Briefly, the pin of the present invention uses a U-shaped frame with legs connected by a web. One leg has a pair of spaced holes which receive the prongs of a slidable carriage which open and close with respect to the other leg for Vpin action. The carriage is restrained in its outward, pin opening, movements and against excessive tilting by a linkage, and spring means is provided to urge the carriage to a prong closing position.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide an improve-d pin characterized by safety in use and convenience in operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pin in which the prongs are shielded at all times.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved pin wherein the prongs are held against separation from the remainder of the unit.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pin wherein the prongs are biased to a closed position where their pointed ends are received in protecting recesses.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are setv forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organizar tion and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a side-elevational View with parts in cross section showing a fastener built in accordance with the present invention and in fastening position on a garment;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the fastener fill . Ia and ISb of the carriage I6 extend.

of Figure 1 with the carriage and prongs retracted to opened position;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional View through axis 3 3, Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view through axis 4-4, Figure 2; and j Figure 5 is a view in perspective of 'an alternative frame structure of the pin of the present invention.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown at I0 a U-shaped frame member having an upper leg Ia and a lower leg IUb substantially parallel to the upper leg. The legs are joined by a web I0c. As shown in Figure 3, the frame I0 is of circular cross-section. At its upper face led, Figure 3, the frame I0 receives the bracket indicated generally at I 2. This bracket has a pair of upstanding parallel wings I2a and |26. The web portion of the bracket between these wings conforms to the shape of the surface Illd and is soldered thereto, as vindicated at I4, Figure 3. The upper leg I0a of the frame I0 and the bracket I2 are apertured at Ille, Figure 2, to define a pair of spaced openings through which the prongs This carriage has a U-shaped 'back member I6c to which the prongs I6a and |617 are fixed. by soldering or other appropriate means.

The prongs I 6a and I Bbgare of such length that when the carriage I6 is in the collapsed position of Figure 1, the prongs fully bridge the space between legs I Ila and IIlb. Thus pieces of cloth C positioned between the legs Illa and Ib are pierced by the prongs and are securely held together.

Briefly, the leg Iilb has a pair of openings Iilf in registry respectively with the openings Ie so that they can receive the prongs Ida and Ib as shown in Figure l. The leg |012 is somewhat enlarged adjacent the openings If, as shown at |99", to assure a firm contact between the upper margins of holes If and the cloth C, asshown in Figure 1. v

Collapsing and retracting motions of the prongs are controlled by the crossed links IS and 20, Figures l, 2, and 3. As shown in- Figure l and Figure 3, these links have outwardly extending trunnions Ia and 20a, respectively, which project through the holes I2c and I2d of the bracket IZ. respectively. Thus, each link is supported forl swinging motions about a point close to the corresponding opening Ine.

The link I8 extends from its trunnion Ia to the head portion I8b. Adjacent the head portion I8b the link passes through .the carriage II `at the opening Id, Figures 1 and 2. Similarly, the link 20 extends from the trunnion 20a to the bent over head 20b and adjacent the head passes through the opening IIe. At its intermediate portion the link 20 is offset at 20c, Figure 2, and in this offset region is apertured at 20d, as shown at Figure 3. The link I8, which straight throughout its length, is loosely received in the aperture 20d so that the two links are interconnected for sliding movement with respect to each other.

The link 20 is urged to the collapsed position against the bracket I2 by the spring 22 which at end 22a seats against the bracket I2 and at the other end 22h rests against the link 20, all as shown in Figure 2. The link is shownin the fully collapsed position, Figure lz i K I The links I8 and 20 anchor the carriage 4II for limited extending and retracting movements in relation to the frame I and against excessive tilting in respect to the frame. Outward or prong retracting' motions 'of the carriage I6 are limited vby theengagement of the headed ends |813 and 20h of the links against the outboard faces of the carriage IE, as shown in Figure 2. The parts are so proportioned that at this time the prongs Ia and |611 just extend into the openings Ie.

The prong extending movement of the carriage I6 is limited by the engagement of the carriage I6 againstk the webportion vof the bracket I2, as shown in Figure l, the portions of bracket I2 against which the carriage seats being indicated at I2c.

TiltingA motions of the carriage I6 are limited Bly the action of the links la and ,2t wnioii bocorne cocked or otherwise arrest tilting motions of the carriage.

Figure shows an alternative form of the frame I0. Asshown, the frame, is of channel-shaped configuration with the channel facing inwardly. The frame is dened by ,leg portions IIila and IIb and the web IIUc. Holes Ile are provided in the ieg portion Hoa iik@ the holes see. The lower leg Ililb is provided with a pair of bridging tabs I I0g which have openings IIf in regstry with openings II'Ile,v as shown in Figure 5. The frame of Figure 5 also has integral upstanding wing portions II2a and 'I I2, respectively. These `upstanding portions have openings IIZd and II2e to receive the links I8 and 20.

The alternative structure `of Figure 5 receives a carriage I6, spring 22, and links IB and 20 in the same fashion as does the frame shown in Figures l, 2, and 3. The links act to anchor the carriage against undue withdrawal and against tiltingv in the same respect as do the links shown in Figure 2.

The frame structure of Figure 5 has the advantage of being easily made from sheet metal by stamping and bending operations.

From the above description it will be evident that the pin cannot be closed beyond the position shown in Figure 1 on the one hand and cannot be opened beyond the position shown in Figure 2 on the other hand. In each of these extended positions, the prongs IIa and Ib are fully protected Aagainst accidental contact. Moreover, when the pin unit is fully released, the spring 22 forces the carriage to the closed or collapsed position of Figure l Where the tips of the prongs rest in the openings If and are in a fully protected position. It will be apparent that while the pin effectively closes upon the cloth C, Figure l, and thus achieves effective pin action, it does not under any circumstances assume a condition where the prongs I6a and IBb are exposed. It

can accordingly be used in the presence of babies and small children without fear of dangerous consequences.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of this invention, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. I, therefore, intend by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A pin fastener for garments comprising in combination: a U-shaped frame having a pair of substantially parallel legs and a connecting web, one of the legs having a pair of spaced openings; a carriage having a pair of prongs received in said openings to open and close with respect to the other leg; said one leg having a pair of outwardly extending wings each having a pair of openings in substantial registry respectively with the openings in said one leg; a pair of crossed links having trunnions extending into the openings of the Wings and slidably received in the carriage, respectively, one link having a slot to receive the other to define a sliding fit, and each link having a head portion adapted to seat on the carriage to limit the opening movements of the carriage.

2. A pin fastener for garments comprising in combination: a U-shaped frame of inwardly facing channel-shaped cross section, the frame having a pair of substantially parallel legs joined by a web, one of the legs having a pair of spaced openings and having outwardly extending wings, the other of the legs having a pair of channelbridgingtabs at its inner side, each having an opening in registry with one of the openings in the other leg; a carriage having a pair of prongs received in the openings of said one leg to open and close with respect to the other leg, the prongs being of vsufficient length to extend into the openings in the tabs when the carriage is in the prong-extending condition; and means anchoring the carriage to the frame for opening and collapsing movements.

3. A pin fastener for garments comprising 'in combination: a U-sha'ped frame having a pair of substantially parallel legs and a connecting web, the legs each having a pair of openings, the openings of one leg being aligned with the openings in the other leg; a carriage having a pair of prongs received in the openings of one leg to vopen and close with respect to the other leg;

crossed links pivoted respectively to the frame and slidablyl received in the carriage, respectively, one link having a "slot to receive the other to define a sliding fit and each link having head portions adapted to seat on the carriage to limit the opening movement of the carriage; the prongsbeing of sufficient length to extend into the openings in the other leg when the carriage is in the collapsed condition.

4. pin fastener for garments comprising in combination: a U-shaped framehaving a pair of substantially parallel legs and a connecting web, one of `the legs having a pair of spaced openings; a .carriage having a pair of prongs 'received in said openings to open and close with respect to the other leg; crossed links pivoted respectively to the frame and slidably received in the carriage, respectively, one link yhaving a slot to receive theother to dene -a sliding fit 'and each link having a head :portion adapted to seat of the carriage; and a spring operable to urge one link in the collapsing direction to hold the carriage in prong-closing position.

5. A pin fastener for garments comprising in combination: a U-shaped frame having a pair of substantially parallel legs and a connecting web, one of the legs having a pair of spaced openings; a carriage having a pair of prongs received in said openings to open and close with respect to the other leg, the carriage having slots adjacent the prongs; and a pair of crossed links pivoted to the frame adjacent the openings respectively and received in the slots of the carriage, the links having head portions outboard the slots, and one link having a central opening through which the other link extends.

6. A pin fastener for garments comprising in combination: a U-shaped frame having a pair of substantially parallel legs and a connecting web, one of the legs having a pair of spaced openings;

a carriage having a pair of prongs received inV said openings to open and close with respect to the other leg; and crossed links pivoted to spaced points on the frame and slidably received at spaced points on the carriage, one link having a slot to receive the other to dene a sliding lit and each link having a head portion adapted to seat on the carriage to limit the opening movements of the carriage.

7. A pin fastener for garments comprising in combination: a U-shaped frame having a pair of substantially parallel legs and a connecting Web, one of the legs having a pair of spaced openings; a carriage having a pair of prongs received in said openings to open and close with respect'to the other leg; and guide means anchored to the frame and to the carriage operable to arrest retracting movements of the carriage and to limit tilt of the same with respect to the frame.

LAWSON D. SUMNER.

No references cited. 

